Wharfedale played well enough in patches to dominate this mid-table clash and outscore Hoppers by 5 tries to one. Sam Freeman tried to keep the visitors in touch with penalty kicks.

The visitors scored first when Dale spilled the kick-off, and Hoppers went through 13 phases before Greg Procter touched down. Freeman added the 2 points. Dale then came back strongly and forced a penalty try. This came from a successful catch and drive that was illegally pulled down very close to the try line.

Freeman nudged over his first three-pointer to take Hoppers back into the lead. Joe Fawcett then had a superb break from a scrum on halfway and was on hand when the ball was recycled a phase later to crash over the whitewash for an unconverted try. Another Freeman penalty followed, this time at 47 meters.

Dale then chased a kick and won the territorial battle; they then used the ball well, and Jack Pinder was on the end of good handling to score. Jack Greig slotted the extras. Freeman added another three points before halftime to leave the score 19-16.

Freeman made the scores level with another 3 points before the Green Machine started to pull away. Jack Pinder was driven over from a five-metre lineout for a converted try. Greig then added a penalty before Robbie Collinson was awarded a try after another successful catch and drive.

Dale were not at their best but put together some good rugby when needed. There were mistakes and some occasional lapses in concentration when possession was needlessly given away. Robbie Collinson was the Star Man in the Rugby paper as he gave a really solid performance. Of special mention was his delivery at the lineout. Alfie Weston also put in a solid shift, playing out of position, and set up one try. The pack did not give ground at the set piece and won their own ball. Apart from one blip the lineout was also secure. Jack Greig’s field kicking also helped Dale get good territory.

The result leaves Dale in 7th place but now only one point behind Fylde who they travel to next week.

Wharfedale Bullough (Haddon 62); Viner, Trees, Cicognini, Weston; Greig, Morgan (Riddiough 50); Meehan (Bentley 55), Collinson (Holden 75), Armstrong, Heys, Borrill, Pinder, Fawcett, Hedgley Replacement not used Burridge.